Filipino Public Pools

A Pool Pro's Journey to the Philippines

Picture this: You're a seasoned pool professional who's traveled halfway around the world, and you find yourself more impressed by the pool maintenance in a developing country than in some first-world destinations. That's exactly what happened to Wayne Ivesitch from the Talking Pools Podcast during his recent three-week adventure in the Philippines.

As pool professionals, we're always curious about how our industry operates in different parts of the world. Wayne's journey offers fascinating insights into Filipino pool culture, maintenance practices, and some surprising discoveries that challenge our assumptions about international pool standards.

First Impressions: Exceeding Expectations

Wayne's initial concerns about international pool quality quickly dissolved when he encountered his first Filipino hotel pool. What he found was a revelation that would set the tone for his entire trip.

I have to admit I was very leery about pools and I always am period but especially international because you never really know what it is they're going to be like. It's a great big question mark... The first hotel that we went to, a very nice hotel had a... in the back behind the hotel they had a large, I would say probably 60-80,000 gallon pool. The tile was dark so it was tough to kind of see things and I'm thinking okay let's do the four senses don't taste the water look at everything else and I couldn't find anything wrong.

— Wayne Ivesitch, Talking Pools Podcast

The pool impressed him not just with its cleanliness, but with its comfortable 85-degree temperature and crystal-clear water. What's more, this facility was using a relatively new saltwater chlorination system, installed just three months prior to his visit.

Daily Maintenance Routines That Put Many Facilities to Shame

One of the most striking observations Wayne made was the dedication to daily pool maintenance across all the facilities he visited. This wasn't just surface-level cleaning – it was comprehensive, professional maintenance performed consistently every morning.

I remember seeing in the morning when I had my coffee my third or fourth cup probably that morning. I would see somebody out there you know netting and scrubbing the bowls and you know doing normal everyday daily pool maintenance which really surprised me

— Wayne Ivesitch, Talking Pools Podcast

This level of consistent maintenance resulted in pools that were "absolutely gorgeous and very well maintained" throughout his stay. The dedication to proper pool care was evident across multiple hotels and resorts, suggesting this is standard practice rather than the exception.

Water Treatment Methods: Practical Solutions for Local Conditions

Wayne's conversations with local maintenance staff revealed interesting approaches to water treatment. At one resort, he discovered they were using sodium hypochlorite as their primary sanitizer, chosen for its local availability and ease of use.

I got the talking to one of the maintenance people at a resort that we had stayed at for a couple nights. And I asked the gentleman who was working in the pool you know what he used they used sodium hypochlorate this particular resort... they feed sodium hypochlorate said it's easy for them to get it there. And they are actually they were considering manufacturing it on site.

— Wayne Ivesitch, Talking Pools Podcast

This practical approach to chemical selection based on local availability and supply chains offers valuable lessons for pool operators worldwide. The resort was even considering on-site sodium hypochlorite generation, showing forward-thinking approaches to chemical management.

Natural Hot Springs: A Learning Experience

Not all water experiences were perfect. Wayne's visit to natural hot springs provided a valuable lesson about untreated water and its effects on swimwear and equipment.

I immediately notice this that's a smell of metals in the water and I thought okay this is interesting well from hot natural springs okay yeah they don't take out metals okay I got it... when I got out of the hot spring to dry off I noticed that my bathing suit was stained with copper stains copper level probably exceeded and this is my best get probably three four probably higher five or six parts per million

— Wayne Ivesitch, Talking Pools Podcast

This experience highlighted the importance of water treatment and the challenges that high metal content can present, even in natural settings. The copper staining served as a practical reminder of why proper water balance and treatment are essential in recreational water facilities.

International Standards: A Surprising Comparison

Perhaps the most surprising revelation from Wayne's trip was how Filipino pool maintenance compared to other international destinations he'd visited. His comparison challenged preconceived notions about pool quality in different regions.

I'll be honest with you and say that the the uh uh pools that we were uh that we either utilized for saw in the Philippines was better maintained than some of the pools I saw when I was in Sydney and Brisbane in Australia uh which kind of surprised me very much

— Wayne Ivesitch, Talking Pools Podcast

This observation underscores an important point for pool professionals: quality maintenance isn't necessarily correlated with economic development or geographic location. Instead, it's about dedication, proper training, and taking pride in the work.

Lessons for Pool Professionals Worldwide

Wayne's Filipino pool adventure offers several valuable takeaways for pool professionals regardless of their location. The emphasis on daily maintenance routines, practical chemical selection, and the pride taken in maintaining crystal-clear water serves as inspiration for facilities everywhere.

The experience also highlights the importance of keeping an open mind when traveling. What started as apprehension about international pool standards turned into admiration for the dedication and professionalism of Filipino pool maintenance staff.

For pool operators looking to improve their own facilities, the Filipino approach demonstrates that consistent daily maintenance, appropriate chemical selection for local conditions, and staff pride in their work can create exceptional results regardless of budget constraints or geographic challenges.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Travel Overview
• 05:30 First Hotel Pool Experience
• 12:15 Daily Maintenance Observations
• 18:45 Water Treatment Methods Discussion
• 25:20 Hot Springs Experience
• 32:10 Comparison with Other International Pools